Danny Cipriani has received a recall to Sale's XV ahead of their match with the Worcester Warriors on Friday evening despite coming in for some heavy criticism from the Sharks' hierarchy in the past week.

Cipriani was left out of Sale's matchday squad for their match with Wasps on Sunday, a game that they lost 25-18, with Nick Macleod preferred at fly-half to the mercurial 25-year-old. Explaining the decision, Sharks boss John Mitchell was heavily critical of Cipriani's defensive ability and singled out that facet of his game as the reason behind the fly-half's omission.

Sale's owner Brian Kennedy also voiced his concern over Cipriani's form against Toulon - a match that Sale lost 62-0, telling the Mail on Sunday: "'Danny had a dreadful game in defence last week. And if you're not prepared to put your body on the line for this club, who pay your wages and give you the chance to play at the highest level each week, then you won't be in the squad, will you?

"You just have to watch Danny's game at Toulon to understand why he's not playing against Wasps."

But with Sale now five points adrift at the foot of the table, they need to start getting victories under their belt if they are to avoid relegation at the end of the season. And the Sale management have opted to recall Cipriani into the starting XV for the clash with the Warriors.